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Reasoning, decision making and rationality

J S Evans1, D E Over, K I Manktelow

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK.

Cognition
|October 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
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Real-world reasoning aids goal achievement, distinguishing between practical rationality and logicality. Research suggests human decision-making is rational in context, challenging formal logic models.

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Decision Theory
  • Philosophy of Mind

Background:

  • Real-world reasoning is goal-oriented and constrained by cognitive limitations.
  • A distinction exists between practical rationality (goal achievement) and logicality (formal reasoning).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between practical rationality and logicality.
  • To re-evaluate psychological research on deductive reasoning in light of this distinction.
  • To assess the adequacy of formal logic and decision theory as models for human rationality.

Main Methods:

  • Review of psychological research on belief bias in syllogistic reasoning.
  • Analysis of studies on deontic reasoning in the Wason selection task.
  • Examination of contemporary decision theory.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Belief bias effects in syllogistic reasoning do not necessarily indicate irrationality.
  • Studies on deontic reasoning demonstrate the rational nature of decision-making in realistic contexts.
  • Formal logic and decision theory inadequately model human reasoning and decision-making.

Conclusions:

  • Logicality is not a sufficient basis for assessing practical rationality.
  • Human reasoning in realistic contexts is often rational, despite deviations from formal logic.
  • Current decision theory models fail to capture the nuances of human decision-making rationality.